Gold Member

Quite frankly, I can't think of any con to the health care system. I'm quite happy with it, we get paid back a big part of our bills (if not everything). Hospitals, dentists, doctors, surgeons... it takes care of pretty much everything I can think of, so I'm very happy with the system here in Belgium.

Granted, it's a decent sum of money that gets subtracted from your paycheck... but in the end, it's more than worth it.

Quite frankly, I can't think of any con to the health care system. I'm quite happy with it, we get paid back a big part of our bills (if not everything). Hospitals, dentists, doctors, surgeons... it takes care of pretty much everything I can think of, so I'm very happy with the system here in Belgium.

Granted, it's a decent sum of money that gets subtracted from your paycheck... but in the end, it's more than worth it.

Gold Member

Pretty decent here in Spain. As long as you are paying social security or are dependant on someone (married to, inc same sex marriages or child of) someone paying social security you get healthcare. Retired people living here from other EU countries are entitled to free healthcare.

Not long after we moved to Spain my partner needed to see a Doctor. Expecting it to take ages to get an appointment like the UK we were pleasantly surprised. We registered at the health centre and saw a doctor within the hour. He needed to see a specialist and was given an appointment later the same day. He was quickly diagnosed and started on drugs. The drugs without prescription cost 25 a month and with prescription he only pays 2.29.

Although a lot of the health staff speak English you are required to take an interpreter if you do not speak Spanish. I know enough to get by and act as interpreter for my partner.

The only down side of the system is that should major surgery be required people need to fly 1000 miles to the mainland but that is more down to geography than the system.

Social security payments vary greatly and depend on age and hours worked. A self-employed person pays approximately 240 a month. The employer is responsible for paying the social security of their staff. The amount for an employeee can be between around 40 and 350 a month.

Many people are contracted on minimum hours eg around 5-10 hours a week to keep social security to a minimum. They are paid their true wages in black money as they are probably working around 40-50 hours a week. Any level of social security gives free healthcare but the amount paid also determines what pension benefits you get.

Well there are plenty in the UK who may slate the NHS but it is a system that serves all regardless of national insurance contributions. Whilst prescriptions and dental treatment is paid for out of our own pockets unless we are unemployed or on benefits the greatest most expensive treatment should we need it will be free and it is a great thing.

I have never needed a major operation but my older sister now deceased was born with a disability which meant having multiple major brain operations throughout the 26 years of her life and if this was the US i dread to think how that would have panned out considering we are from a poor background. I think a contribution based free healthcare system is much fairer because it looks like in the States that rich people are saving money that they would have to 'contribute' in a UK style system knowing full well that if they had to have treatment that they would be covered whilst the less well off are saving their contribution but still perhaps struggling to afford the insurance and maybe having to go without which could only be very bad for them.

Gold Member

I've posted in other threads about my family's experiences with the healthcare system in my native country of Canada. I don't really feel like repeating myself other than to say they have been a very positive. We have received prompt, very good care, while paying very cheap premiums. The system is not perfect and I know the are stories to be told of the system letting people down. I just don't know of any involving my family, friends or acquaintances.

I now live in Turkey. I don't know the system very well here. It is a mix of private and public healthcare. Everyone has government insurance. But there are private hospitals in which you must have a private insurance plan or pay cash. They do accept referrals from the public hospitals. Some of the private are excellent and some of them don't have such great reputations. The public hospitals are generally not as good as the private hospitals. I have seen some really crowded emergency rooms here.

When I visited a friend who had surgery for an ulcer, he was in a small room with five other men, with no air conditioning, in the summer heat. His family brought in a fan. The family members mount a 24 hour watch to make sure their loved ones needs are met. The family is actively involved in the care; bathing the person and keeping him comfortable. They bring in food and drink and medicine as well. My friend did receive good care in spite of the trying circumstances.

Things appear to be improving. That old hospital my friend was in has been replaced by a huge new modern facility. I was in the emerg this spring because my minibus was in an accident on the way to the job and some of my guys were injured. The place was busy, but seemed to be running efficiently. The locals are proud of their new hospital.

The University hospital in town is really a high quality place. As good as any anywhere really. It charges extra on top of what the Social Insurance (SSK) pays.

There is no wait to see a GP that I know of. There are same private Polyclinics around the cities where you can get walk in care. They take cash or some will accept SSK payments.

Turkey is a relatively poor country with huge economic problems. But it manages to provide basic health care to most of it's people.

Istanbul is the world capital of eye surgery. Dünya Göz is the largest private eye hospital in the world. If you want laser eye treatment for a fraction of the cost come to Turkey. They have all the latest technology. Most of the eye hospitals offer packages of holiday tours/eye surgery.

I've also posted elsewhere about health care in Canada. It's the responsibility of each province, and varies. In my home province of Alberta, basic health insurance covers Doctors' visits, hospital care, chiropractic, podiatry, physiotherapy and probably other services I've never had reason to access. Doctors visits are unlimited, but there are some limitations on chiro and physio. Premiums are paid by the province, there is no withholding tax on paycheques. Some home care is also covered. Extended coverage may be purchased by those who wish, often but not always through employers. Subsidized non-group coverage is available. I pay $41/month, and receive drug (30% copay to a max of $25), optical and some dental coverage. Seniors receive extended coverage free of charge. There are problems here, but neither I nor any of my personal or professional circle has ever encountered any of the things I've heard referenced in this forum and elsewhere. I can't speak for those in other provinces, but it's difficult to believe it could be all that much different.